Financial Literacy

Why we do this

Money is one of the few things every adult has to deal with — and one of the few things almost nobody gets taught in school. We see the consequences every day: people who don't know how to spot a predatory loan, families who don't know what questions to ask before buying a house, young adults who've never been shown how a credit score works.

Financial literacy isn't a product we sell. It's a service we provide to the community because we believe people make better decisions when they understand the basics — and a stronger community is better for everyone, including us.

In schools

We partner with local elementary, middle, and high schools to bring banking and money basics into classrooms — free of charge, taught by volunteers from Alpine Bank who are trained to work with students.

What we teach

• Elementary (grades 3–5): Saving vs spending, needs vs wants, how a bank works.
• Middle school (grades 6–8): Budgeting basics, the cost of borrowing, how interest works.
• High school (grades 9–12): Credit scores, first jobs and taxes, student loans, opening a first bank account.

Each program runs as a series of 45-minute sessions. Teachers can request any module or the full sequence — whatever fits their curriculum.

For adults

Many adults never got the chance to learn these basics, and there's no shame in starting now. We run free workshops throughout the year, both at our branches and at community centers, libraries, and partner organizations.

Workshop topics

• Building and repairing credit
• Making a budget that actually works
• Understanding debt: good, bad, and how to pay it down
• Saving for emergencies and big goals
• Fraud and identity theft protection
• Basic investing and retirement accounts

All workshops are free, and no registration is required — just show up. You can also request a workshop for your organization or workplace.

First-time homebuyers

Buying a home is the largest financial decision most people make, and the process is full of terms and rules that aren't explained anywhere. Our first-time homebuyer program walks through the entire process, one step at a time.

• Understanding what you can actually afford — not just what a lender will approve
• Saving for a down payment and closing costs
• How mortgage pre-approval works and why it matters
• The difference between interest rate, APR, and fees
• Working with a realtor, inspector, and closing agent
• What happens after closing — taxes, insurance, and maintenance

The program is free and open to anyone considering a first home purchase in the next 12–24 months.

Small business owners

Many small business owners are experts in their craft but never got training in the financial side of running a business. We offer one-on-one sessions and group workshops covering the essentials:

• Separating personal and business finances
• Understanding cash flow vs profit
• What lenders actually look for when you apply
• Managing taxes and quarterly payments
• Preparing for growth — and knowing when not to grow

Sessions are free for any small business owner in the communities we serve, whether or not you bank with us.

How to get involved

Whether you want to learn, teach, or bring one of our programs to your organization, here's how to start:

• If you're an educator: Request a program at your school by contacting our community team.
• If you're an organization: Request a workshop for your members, employees, or clients.
• If you want to volunteer: Alpine Bank employees teach many of these sessions, but community volunteers with financial experience are always welcome.
• If you just want to learn: Check our events calendar or stop by any branch and ask what's coming up.